Edward Snowden not in Moscow, say Russian authorities

A shroud of mystery has surrounded American whistleblower Edward Snowden’s whereabouts since he received temporary asylum in Russia last week, but migration authorities have let slip that he is not in Moscow.

On Tuesday, Snowden’s lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, said the National Security Agency leaker had registered his place of residence with the authorities, as all foreigners must do, but did not divulge the location out of concern for his safety.

A migration service official said on Friday, however, that Snowden had not submitted documents to register in the capital.

“We don’t have these records. I don’t have any such information. He’s not in Moscow,” said Olga Kirillova, head of the Moscow branch of the federal migration service, news agencies reported. The service said that everyone’s registration was confidential and that only Snowden or his lawyer can reveal his place of residence.